peoppee



N0 608,909. Patented Aug. 9, I898. A. H. PROPPEB.

BAG FASTENEB.

(Application filed Mar. 14, 1898.)

(No Model.)

IN l/E N TO]? WITNESS \NS mums PLYERS co, PHOTO-L'ITNQ, WASHINGTON, n. n.

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ALBERT H. PROPPER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

BAG-FASTENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 608,909, dated August 9, 1898. Application filed March 14, 1898. Serial No, 673,770. (No model.)

adapted to engage each other at their free.

meeting edges and provided with interiorlyprojecting points or spurs.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple and improved bag-fastener of this character which will be Very convenient and effective in operation, but which can be cheaply manufactured.

The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, of which the accompanying drawings form a part, in which the separate parts of my improvement are designated by the same letters of reference in each of the views, and in Which- Figure 1 is a front view of a bag-fastener embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a top or plan view. Fig. 3 is a front vieW showing the device in open position. Fig. l is a side view. Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view, and Fig. 6 is a side view, showing the device in position upon a bag.

Referring to the drawings, A and A designate, respectively, the two arms of the device, which are segmental in contour, each being preferably in extension approximately onehalf a circle. At their rear ends the arms are connected by a pivotal or hinge joint 13, while their free front ends are adapted to overlap and are respectively provided with recesses a a, forming catches, and projecting pins or studs a a, received by said recesses and forming a locking-joint.

In carrying out my improvements the pivotal or hinge joint B is of loose construction and arrangement, so that play or move ment of the arms in a vertical direction and with relation to each other is permitted-tl e. the arms can move up or down with respect to each other at said joint. The construction by which I secure this feature of my invention is preferably as shown in the accompanying drawings, in which the arm A is provided at its rear end with a flange or extension 0 at its lower portion, through which extension is provided a cylindrical eye or opening 0, and a segmental shoulder c is formed by said extension and at the inner side thereof. The arm A is provided with a downwardly-extending cylindrical pintle d, which is received by the opening 0. The rear end of the arm A is thus supported upon the extension 0, and its end wall d conforms to the, segmental shoulder c and is adapted to bear within the same. This arrangement of the segmental shoulder c and the segmentally-curved inner edge 61 of the respective arms forms an interlocking bearing between the ends of the arms at the joint for purposes of bracing or greater strength, and said shoulder 0 will also form a stop which will limit the opening movement of said arms with respect to each other. The pintle d is extended in depth or downward projection and is provided ata point some distance below the extension 0 of the arm A with a transverse eye or opening e,in which is secured a cross-pin e.' The distance between the base of the pintle and the cross-pin being thus somewhat greater than the depth or thickness of the extension 0, a free relative play of the arms vertically independent of their relatively lateral opening and closing movement upon the joint is permitted, the purpose of which will be hereinafter fully described. The diameter of the pintleis also preferably slightly less than the diameter of its eye-or opening a, so that a downward lateral relative swing of the arms with respect to each other in the manner shown in Fig. 3 is permitted. The pivotal or hinge joint 13 is thus loose, permitting of a free play of the arms with respect to each other in'a ver tical or downward or hanging movement entirely independent of their normal pivotal or hinge movement in a lateral plane; but at the same time said joint serves to retain. the arms in permanent connection.

' In the construction comprised in my inven tion the recesses a a are formed in the top edge of the front portion of the arm A and extend diagonally downwardly toward or with relation to the arm A, so that they form inclined inner or back edges, as at f, and front hooks or catches, as at f. Two of these recesses a are preferably provided, as shown. The studs or projections a are arranged to project laterally in a forward direction at the front end of the arm A and are preferably cylindrical and are adapted to engage over the hooks or catches f and be received by the diagonal or inclined recesses a, the relative construction being such that the front end of the arm A is received back of the front end of the arm A. These overlapping front end portions of the arms are preferably flattened, as shown. (See Fig. 2.)

The flattened front end portions of the respective arms are preferably enlarged or extended beneath the catches and studs, as respectively shown at g and g, and these extensions are preferably provided with registering eyes or openings h h, through which a securing-cord t'is adapted to be passed. This securing-cord is passed around the neck of the bag with its ends passing through the openings h h, and said ends may then be sealed, as at 70, (see Fig. 6,) when the fastener is in position, whereby an effective guard against tampering with the contents of the bag or opening of the fastener is provided. ,By thus providing for the passage of the securingeord through both of the arms of the fastening device the latter may be secured or sealed against unlocking.

Projecting upon the inner edge of the arms and projecting interiorly therefrom with relation to the circle formed by the arms are spurs L, which are adapted to impinge upon or engage the bag when the fastener is in operative position. These spurs are preferably formed by a cylindrical nib or finger having its outer edge provided with V-shaped notches l, arranged at right angles, so that four points Z are formed upon each spur, by which construction and arrangement a more secure and positive operation of said spurs is insured.

Upon the arm A at a point adjacent to its knob or handle-m, by which said arm may be conveniently operated in its adjustable relation to and from the arm A.

The front edge of the free end portion of the arm A may be beveled or inclined upwardly and outwardly, as at 0, and bear with relation to a correspondingly-inclined shoulder 0 at the inner side of the arm A and in rear of the hooks or catches f to facilitate the upward riding movement of the arm A with relation to the arm A when the arms are forced together in the operation of unlocking the fastening device.

The operation and advantages of my invention will be readily understood. The device is adapted to clasp the neck of a bag in the usual manner and clamp the same securely in closed position. In the operation of the device the arms are relatively opened to the position shown in Fig. 3 and placed around the neck portion of the bag, when they are brought together so that their front end portions overlap, and in this movement the studs or projections a are engaged over the hooks or catches f and seated in the recesses a, this engagement of said studs up over the hooks or catches being enabled by the vertical movement of the arm A upon the loose pivotal or hinge joint B. In its manipulation to bring the device into operative positive the arm A may be conveniently moved by means of the knob or handle 171. When in the operative position shown in Fig. 6, the spurs L will bind or engage the bag and will operate to effectively prevent slipping of the fastener upon the neck portion of the latter. To seal the fastener in position, it is only necessary to pass a cord around the neck of the bag and through the registering openings at the front end portions of the arms, after which the ends of the cord are sealed, and unauthorized tampering with the bag is thus effectively prevented.

By reason of the improved relative construction and arrangement as comprised in my invention the fastener may be quickly and conveniently removed from the bag by simply forcing the front end portion of the arm A inwardly with respect to the arm A by means of the knob or handle m, when by reason of the inclined back edges f of the recesses a and the free vertical movement at the pivotal or hinge joint B the pins or studs a will automatically ride up upon said inclines f until they are above the plane of the hooks 01' catches f, when the arms a may be drawn outwardly away from the arm A.

I do not desire to be understood as limiting myself to the exact details of construction and arrangement as herein shown and described, as manifest variations and modificaftions may be made, and I therefore reserve the right to all such variations and modifications as properly fall within the spirit and scope of my invention and the terms of the following claims.

front end is provided an upwardly-projecting 1 Having fully described my invention, I

1. An improved bag-fastencr, comprising segmental arms pivotally connected or hinged at one end and adapted to swing both vertically and laterally on their pivotal connection,the free ends of said arms being flattened and enlarged and adapted to overlap, the flattened and enlarged end of one of said arms being provided in the top edge thereof with notches or recesses which open back- .wardly and form hooks, and the enlarged and flattened free end of the other arm being provided with projecting pins or studs adapted to enter said notches or recesses, substanitially as shown and described.

2. An improved bag-fastener, comprising segmental arms pivotally connected or hinged claim as new and desire to secure by Letters 5 Patent at one end and adapted to swing both vertically and laterally on their pivotal connection, the free ends of said arms being flattened and enlarged, and adapted to overlap, the flattened and enlarged end of one of said arms being provided in the top edge thereof with notches or recesses which open backwardly and form hooks, and the enlarged and flattened free end of the other arm being provided with projecting pins or studs adapted to enter said notches or recesses, said free ends being also each provided with an eye or opening through which acord may be passed, substantially as shown and described. I

' 3. An improved bagfastener, comprising segmental arms pivotally connected or hinged at one end, and the free ends of which are adapted to overlap, the freeend of one arm being provided in its upper edge with notches or recesses which open backwardlyand upwardly and the free end of the other arm being provided with pins or studs which are adapted to enter said notches or recesses and said free ends of said arms being also each provided with an eye or opening, substantially as shown and described.

4. An improved bag-fastener, comprising segmental arms pivotally connected or hinged at one end, and the free ends of which are adapted to overlap, the free end of one arm being provided in its upper edge with notches or recesses which open backwardly and up wardly and the free end of the other arm being provided with pins or studs which'a re adapted to enter said notches or recesses and said free end of each arm being also pro- .vided with an eye or opening, said segmental arms being also loosely connected in such manner that they are free to swing vertically as well as laterally, substantially as shown and described. v

5. An improved bag-fastener, comprising two segmental arms which are hinged together at one end, and the free ends of which are adapted to swing laterally and also to move vertically, the free ends of said arms being widened and adapted to overlap and said free end of one of said arms being provided in the upper edge thereof with notches or recesses which open backwardly and upwardly, and the free end of the other arm being provided with projecting pins or studs adapted to enter said notches or recesses, and one of said arms being also provided with a handle, substantially as shown and described.

6. An improved bag-fastener, comprising two segmental arms which are hinged together at one end, andthe free ends of which are adapted to swing laterally and also to move vertically, the free ends of said arms being widened and adapted to overlap, and the free end of one of said arms being provided in the upper edge thereof with notches or recesses which open baekwardly and upwardly, and the free end of the other arm being provided with projecting pins or studs adapted to enter said notches or recesses, and one of said arms being also provided with a handle, and the free end of each of said arms being provided with an eye or opening through which a cord may be passed, substantially as shown and described.

7. An improved bag-fastener, comprising two segmental arms hinged together at one end and adapted to swing both vertically and laterally, the free ends of said arms being flattened and adapted to overlap, one of said arms being provided in its upper surface with notches or recesses which open upwardly and backwardly and the top and bottom walls of which are inclined backwardly and upwardly, and the end of the other arm being provided with pins or projections which are adapted to enter said notches or recesses, and the said end being inclined upwardly and in the direction of the opposite arm, said inclined end being adapted to abut against an inclined shoulder formed on the other arm, substantially as shown and described.

, 8. An improved bag-fastener, comprising two segmental arms hinged together at one end and adapted to swing both vertically and laterally, and the free ends of said arms being flattened and adapted to overlap, one of said arms being provided in its upper surface with notches or recesses which open upwardly and backwardly, and the end of the other arm being provided with pins or projections which are adapted to enter said notches or recesses,and said end being inclined upwardly and in the direction of the opposite arm, said inclined end being adapted to abut against an inclined shoulder formed on the other arm, and one of said arms being also provided with a handle, substantially as shown and described. I

9. An improved bag-fastener, comprising two segmental arms hinged together at one end and adapted to swing both vertically and laterally, the free ends of said arms being flattened and adapted to overlap, one of said arms being provided in its upper surface with notches or recesses which open up-v wardly and backwardly and the top and bottom walls of which are inclined baekwardly and upwardly, and the end of the other arm being provided with pins or projections which are adapted to enter said notches orrccesses,

and the end thereof being inclined upwardly,

and in the direction of the opposite arm, said inclined end being adapted to abut against an inclined shoulder formed onthe other arm, and one of said arms being also pro vided with a handle, and the ends of both of said arms being provided with an eye or opening through which a cord or similar device may be passed, substantially as shown and described. a

10. An improved bag-fastener, comprising cesses which open upwardly and backwardly whereby hooks are formed, the end of the other arm being provided with pins or projections adapted to enter said notches or recesses, substantially as shown and described.

11. An improved bag-fastener, comprising two segmental arms which are hinged together at one end, and adapted to swing both laterally and vertically on their hinged connection, the free ends of one of said arms being widened and provided with notches or recesses which open upwardly and backwardly whereby hooks are formed, the end of the other arm being provided with pins or projections adapted to enter said notches or recesses, and the ends of both of said arms being provided with an eye or opening through which a cord or similar article may be passed, substantially as shown and described.

12. An improved bag-fastener, comprising two segmental arms which are hinged together at one end and which are adapted to swing vertically and laterally on their hinged connection, one of said arms being provided at its free end with notches or recesses which open upwardly and backwardly whereby hooks are formed and the free end of the other arm being provided with corresponding pins or projections which are adapted to enter said notches or recesses and to be held therein by said hooks, substantially as shown and described.

13. An improved bag-fastener, comprising two segmental arms which are hinged together at one end and which are adapted to swing vertically and laterally on their hinged connection, one of said arms being provided at its free end with notches or recesses which open upwardly and backwardly whereby hooks are formed and the free end of the other arm being provided with corresponding pins or projections which are adapted to e11- ter said notches or recesses and to be held therein by said hooks, the free ends of each of said arms being also provided with an eye or opening, substantially as shown and described.

14. An improved bag-fastener, comprising two segmental arms which are hinged together at one end and which are adapted to swing vertically and laterally on their hinged connection, one of said arms being provided at its free end With notches or recesses which open upwardly and backwardly whereby hooks are formed and the free end of the other arm being provided with corresponding pins or projections which are adapted to enter said notches or recesses and to be held therein by said hooks, the free ends of each of said arms being also provided with an eye or opening, and one of said arms being also provided with a handle, substantially as shown and described.

15. An improved bag-fastener, comprising arms connected at one end by a pivotal or hinge joint and having overlapping free end portions, one of said arms being provided at its free end portion with hooks or catches in its top edge and the other arm being provided with projecting pins or studs adapted to en gage over said hooks or catches, the free end port-ions of said arms being extended below said catch devices and said extended overlapping portions being provided with registering eyes or openings adapted to receive a sealingcord, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

16. An improved bag-fastener, comprising segmental arms connected at one end by a pivotal or hinge joint and having overlapping free end portions, one of said arms being pro Vided at its free end portion with hooks or catches at its top edge and the other arm being provided with laterally-projecting pins or studs adapted to be engaged over said hooks or catches and with a projecting knob or handle by which it may be moved to and from the first arm, the overlapping free end portions of both arms being provided with registering eyes or openings, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. 7

17. A11 improved bag-fastener, comprising two segmental arms hinged or pivotally connected at one end and adapted to swing laterally and vertically on their hinged or pivotal connection, and said arms being provided at their free ends with interlocking devices by which they may be connected, and each of said arms being also provided at its free end with an eye or opening, said eyes or openings being adapted to register when the free ends of said arms are connected, substantially as shown and described.

18. An improved bag-fastener, comprising two segmental arms hinged or pivotally connected at one end and adapted to swing laterally and vertically on their hinged or piv" otal connection, and said arms being provided at their free ends with interlocking devices by which they may be connected, and each of said arms being also provided at its free end with an eye or opening, said eyes or openings being adapted to register when the free ends of said arms are connected, and one of said arms being also provided with a handle, substantially as shown and described.

19. An improved bag-fastener, comprising two segmental arms hinged or pivotally connected at one end and adapted to swing laterally or vertically on their hinged or pivotal connection, said arms being also flattened at their free ends and the flattened end portion of one of said arms being provided in its upper edge with notches or recesses which open upwardly and backwardly and the flattened end of the other arm being provided with pins or projections which are adapted to enter said notches or recesses, one of said end portions being also inclined and adapted to abut against an inclined shoulder or projection on the other end portion, and said end portions being also each provided with an eye or open- ICC ing which are adapted to register when the free ends of said arms are connected, substantially as shown and described.

20. An improved bag-fastener, comprising arms having hook or catch engaging devices at their free end portions, the other end of one of said arms being provided with an eye or opening and the corresponding end of the other arm being provided with a projecting pintle of less diameter than said eye or opening and secured in position within the same, whereby a loose pivotal or hinge joint is provided between the arms, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

21. An improved bag-fastener, comprising arms having hook or catch engaging devices at their free end portions, the other end of one of said arms being provided with an eye or opening and the corresponding end of the other arm being provided with a projecting pintle received by said eye or opening, and a securing member provided upon said pintle at a point some distance from the arm having the eye or opening, whereby a loose pivotal or hinge joint is provided between the arms, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

22. An improved bag-fastener, comprising arms having hook or catch engaging devices at their free end portions, one of said arms being provided at its free end with an extension-or flange in which is formed an eye. or opening and which forms a segmental shoulder at the inner end of said flange or extension, the corresponding end of the other arm being adapted to rest upon said flange or extension and having a pintle passing downwardly through the eye or opening therein, the end of said pintled arm being adapted to bear against sai d segmental shoulder, whereby said arms are relatively braced in their movement upon the pintle, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

23. An improved bag-fastener, comprising arms provided with hook or catch engaging devices at their free end portions, one of said arms being provided at its opposite end with an eye or opening and the other arm being provided in its corresponding end with an extended projecting pintle passing through said eye or opening, and aprojecting securing device carried by said pintle, the length of the pintle between its carrying-arm and said projecting securing device being greater than the thickness or diameter of the portion of the other arm having the eye or opening, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

24. An improved bag-fastener, comprising arms having hook or catch engaging devices at their free end portions, the other end of one of said arms being provided with a flange or extension in which is formed an eye or opening, and the other arm being connected with the first arm by means of a pintle proj ecting through said eye or opening and adapted to slide vertically therein, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

25. An improved bag-fastener, comprising segmental arms having overlapping freeend portions in which are respectively formed edge hooks or catches and laterally projecting pins or studs adapted to be engaged over the same, the other end of one of said arms being provided with an eye or opening and the corresponding end of the other arm being provided with an extended pintle projecting downwardly through said eye or opening and provided with a securing projecting portion, the length of said pintle between its carryingarm and said securing projecting portion being greater than the thickness of the portion of the other arm having the eye or opening, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

26. In a bag-fastening device of the class described, comprising two pivotally-connected or hinged clamping-arms, the herein-described inwardly-projecting spur carried by said arms and embodying a cylindrical projection having its outer end provided with V-shaped recesses at right angles to each other,substantial1y as and for the purpose set forth.

27. An improved bag-fastener, comprising the segmental arms having the overlapping end portions respectively provided with the inclined or diagonally extending recesses forming the hooks or projections and the laterally-projecting pins or studs adapted to be engaged over the latter, the other ends of said arms being respectively provided with an eye or opening and witha pintle received by said eye or opening and having a vertical movement therein, and the knob or handle projecting upwardly from one of said arms and adapted to be operated to carry the arms to or from each other, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

28. An'improved bag-fastener, comprising the segmental arms having the overlapping free end portions extended downwardly and provided with registering eyes or openings, said overlapping free end portions being re spectively provided with the diagonal or inclined recesses forming the hooks or catches and with the laterallyprojecting pins orstuds adapted tobe engaged over the latter, the other ends of said arms being respectively provided with an eye or opening and with a pintle received by said eye or opening and having a vertical sliding movement therein, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

29. The herein-described improved bag-. fastener, comprising the segmental arms havinginwardly-projecting spurs and embodying the overlapping free end portions, said free end portions being provided with registering eyes or openings and respectively with the diagonal or inclined recesses forming the hooks or catches in the top edge and with the laterally-projecting pins or studs adapted to be engaged over said hooks or catches, the other ends of said arms being respectively provided with an eye or opening and with a pintle received by said eye or opening and extended with relation thereto, said pintle my invention I havesigned my name, in presbein )rovided with a securing location or once of the subseribin Witnesses this 4th da 1 5: 1 o D J a 5 portion at its extended end and hem 5; adapted of March, 1898.

to slide Within the eye or opening, and a knob ALBERT H. PROPPER. 5 or handleprojeeting from one of the arms, Witnesses:

substantially as and for the purpose set forth. L. M. MULLER,

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as M. A. KNOWLES. 

